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HSP/SPS Resources

Do you think you might be a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) or someone with Sensory Processing Sensitivity (SPS)? Find out through this self assessment.


Are you parenting a child who you think might be highly sensitive?  This assessment may help you understand!


Or maybe you are curious if you are High Sensation Seeking.  There's a self assessment for you, too!


What is HSP and what is SPS?


See our Top Ten Traits of HSPs
 

Thriving HSP Group

Greentree location, 4:00-5:30 pm

Second and Fourth Mondays

January, February, and March

You are invited to join us for our Thriving HSP Group! 

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Adina and Anna are excited to join with you in exploring what it means to be an HSP/SPS in this world, with discussion topics and activities to explore.​ This group is for individuals 16 years old and over.

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The cost is $40 per session. Payment options include insurance (including Medicare and Medicaid) private pay and sliding scale private pay as needed.

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Jan 12 - Boundaries/blending/cameleon patterns

Jan 26 - Parenting/roomate and family relationships

Feb 9 - Intimate relationships

Feb 23 - Using our gifts in fulfilling ways, service, career and education

Mar 9 - Creating rest and safe spaces

Mar 23 - Other topics TBD/suggested by the group

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Sign up below for one, some or all of the sessions. A facilitator will be in touch with next steps.

Sign Up!

Location

Living Stones--Greentree

2350 Noblestown Road, Suite 200

Greentree, PA 15205

Adina: 412-407-3383

Which sessions would you like to attend? (You are able to sign up for additional sessions at a later date.) Required

Thanks for submitting!

Top Ten Traits of HSPs
 

Highly sensitive people (HSPs) experience the world through a richer, more finely tuned lens. These common traits help capture what it’s like to navigate life with this unique personality style:

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  1. You think about things really deeply: You don't skim the surface; you dive deep into thoughts, ideas, and decisions, often mulling things over carefully before making a move.

  2. Crowds and noise can be a lot: You tend to get overwhelmed easily by sensory "noise"—loud sounds, bright lights, chaotic crowds, or strong smells can leave you feeling frazzled.

  3. You're a natural empath: You really feel other people’s feelings and moods, easily stepping into their shoes and often absorbing the emotional atmosphere of a room.

  4. Quiet alone time is essential: Recharge time isn't a luxury; it’s a necessity. You need regular moments of peace and quiet to decompress and reset your nervous system.

  5. You notice all the little things: You pick up on subtleties that others miss—a slight shift in tone of voice, a tiny detail in a room, or a delicate change in the weather.

  6. Art, music, and nature move you deeply: You have a rich inner world and find profound joy and meaning in beauty, creativity, and the natural world.

  7. Criticism stings more than average: Conflict and negative feedback feel intense, leading you to be extra thoughtful about how you navigate relationships and potential disagreements.

  8. You're super conscientious: You take your responsibilities seriously and tend to be very detail-oriented and reliable, often going above and beyond in your work.

  9. You prefer gentle entertainment: Intense or violent movies, TV shows, and news stories can feel physically and emotionally jarring, so you often opt for calmer viewing experiences.

  10. Emotions are big and vibrant: You feel everything intensely—the highs are higher, and the lows are lower. You live life with the volume turned up on your feelings.

Wait... I know HSP, but what is SPS?

HSP and SPS refer to the same concept: a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) is an individual with high Sensory Processing Sensitivity (SPS). The terms are often used interchangeably, with SPS being the scientific term used in academic research. 

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Sensory Processing Sensitivity (SPS)

SPS is a biologically-based, innate personality trait involving a more sensitive central nervous system and a deeper cognitive processing of stimuli, affecting an estimated 15-20% of the population in humans and over 100 other species. It is not considered a disorder or a clinical condition, but rather a normal variation in temperament. 

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Highly Sensitive Person (HSP)

A person who scores highly on measures of SPS (such as the Highly Sensitive Person Scale developed by psychologists Elaine and Arthur Aron) is referred to as a Highly Sensitive Person. 

Living Stones Counseling Services

9066 Perry Highway, Ste 4

Pittsburgh, PA 15237

Living Stones Counseling Services

2350 Noblestown Rd., Suite 200

Pittsburgh, PA 15205

©2019 by Living Stones Counseling Services

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